
Ittrrnlimreiite Inntnn 



PP.IXCETO>r, 1854. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF VIRTUOUS HABITS IN YOUNG MEN, 
AND THE MEANS BY WHICH THEY MAY BE ATTAINED. 



A DISCOUESE 



DELIVERED IN TBS 



COLLEGE CHAPEL 
TO THE GRADUATING CLASS, 

MAY 14, 1854, 

BT 

JAMES CARNAHAN, D. D., 

PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. 



|]rinccton, US. J., 

PRINTED BY JOHN T. ROBINSON. 

1854. 



L 



-IV- 






Nassau Hall, Mat 15th, 1854. 

Eev. Dr. Carnahan, 

Sir: 

At a meeting of the Senior Class, the follow- 
ing was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to request a copy of Br. 
Carnahan's Baccalaureate Address for publication. 
Hoping that you will comply with the above request, 
We remain 

Respectfully Yours, 

ALBERT B. DOD, 1 

A. A. EDW. TAYLOR, 

RICHARD S. CONOVER, j^ Committee. 

EDWARD T. GREEN, | 

THOMAS P. MICKELL, J 



Nassau Hall, May 15th, 1854. 

Messrs. 

A. B. Don, Edw. Taylor, R. S. Conover, Edw. T. Green and 
T. P. Mickell, 

Young Gentlemen: 

In compliance with your request 
I submit to your disposal the discourse delivered in the College Chapel. 

With my best wishes for your welfare and that of the class which you re- 
present, I am truly and faithfully. 

Your Friend, 

JAMES CARNAHAN. 



BACCALAUEEATE SERMON. 



Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed 

THERETO ACCORDING TO THY WORIi.—Psalm CXIX. 9. 

In every human enterprise it is important to begin 
well. And in no case is this remark more appropriate 
than in the journey of human life. A wrong step in 
the commencement generally gives direction to the 
whole future course. And if after we have proceeded 
some distance in the wrong way, we attempt to retrace 
our steps, the effort will be attended with great difficul- 
ty, and much time and labor will be lost in regaining the 
right road. In forming a plan of future conduct, two 
things demand the utmost attention of every young 
man. First, the object at which he should aim, and 
next, the means necessary to secure it. In our text 
the Psalmist suggests an object worthy the attention 
of every individual, and especially of the young, and 
he points out the means by which it may be attained. 
* Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By 
taking heed thereto according to thy word.' To cleanse 
his way, is the object. Taking heed to his way according 
to the word of God, is the means. 

To the consideration of these two points, we at this 
time invite your attention. To cleanse his way is evi- 



dently a figurative expression, which signifies to escape 
from moral pollution and to attain purity of heart and 
life. In the Sacred Scriptures it is usual to represent 
sin, or moral evil under the notion of pollution — some- 
thing which defiles the soul and renders it offensive and 
disgustful. Sin destroys the beauty and loveliness of 
rational beings, tarnishes the bright image of God in 
which man was created, and invests the soul in a garb 
so foul and loathsome as to excite the disgust of all ho- 
ly beings. In the Sacred Scriptures sin is represented 
as an abominable thing from which God averts his eyes 
as being too pure to behold evil. 

Integrity, purity, holiness and piety, (all of which 
are included in the general expression to cleanse his 
way), are important and necessary to all men of every 
age. Yet there is a peculiar propriety in inquiring by 
what means a young man may cleanse his tuay. 

1. Because a young man is in more danger of con- 
tamination than any other. This danger arises from 
the inexperience and ardor of youth, and from the pecu- 
liar temptations to which that age is exposed. The ex- 
tent of his own observation is limited, and he can sel- 
dom be persuaded to listen to the experience of those 
who have gone before him. When the victims of sen- 
suality, in the last stage of moral degradation, without 
reputation or property or health, are presented to his 
view, he cannot believe there is any similarity between 
these extreme cases and his own. He cannot believe that 
these outcasts from society, now clothed in rags, totter- 
ing in the streets, or emaciated in the hospital, or con- 
fined in the penitentiary, had when of his age that high 
sense of honor, that delicate regard to the feelings of 
their friends, and that strength and decision of charac- 
ter which he possesses. He feels himself injured and 



insulted by the suggestion that he may one day become 
such as the degraded and miserable being whose very 
aspect fills him with disgust. When you point him to 
such examples, he looks around him and beholds 
some who have advanced farther in a course of dissipa- 
tion than he at present intends to go, enjoying a high 
degree of health, respected by their friends, admitted 
to reputable and fashionable society, occupying honor- 
able stations, apparently free from care and imparting 
cheerfulness and joy to all their associates. And why 
he asks, may not he walk in the same path,- so smooth, 
so enchanting, so well adapted to his buoyant feelings, 
especially as he is determined to avoid everything mean 
and disreputable, and to associate only with intelligent 
and genteel companions. And if on some special occa- 
sions he should go beyond the limits which rigid moral- 
ists would approve, he alleges it is nothing more than 
others have done who still maintain a decent and res- 
pectable standing in society. With these views, and en- 
couraged by these examples he is induced to go farther 
until it is too late to recede. Thus we have seen on a 
summer evening a gay and beauteous insect, charmed 
by the brilliancy of a lighted taper, sporting around the 
dazzling object, alternately approaching and receding, 
coming nearer at each successive circle, until touched 
by the flame it falls to rise no more. 

It has been said that such is the deformity of vice 
that it needs only to be seen in order to be shunned. 
This is true when viewed in all its consequences pres- 
ent and remote. But it is not true when the aspect 
usually presented to youth is contemplated. It is then 
dressed in all the seductive charms of pleasure, of 
wealth, of fame. Every thing calculated to excite the 
appetite and to inflame the passions of youth, is held 



8 

out to view. Fragrant flowers delightful to the sight 
hang in graceful clusters on each side of the winding 
path which leads to the mansion filled with dead mens 
hones. 

There are also persons already initiated into the mys- 
teries of iniquity, prepared to meet young men, when 
they go forth into the world, and to lead them into the 
paths of corruption and crime: Vice like misery loves 
company. Whether this arises from the social princi- 
ple common to all men or from a consciousness of guilt 
which dreads to be alone, we shall not now stop to in- 
quire. The fact is so, that those who are corrupt make 
strenuous and successful efforts to corrupt others. Un- 
der the guise of friendship they present allurements, 
which the inexperienced know not how to resist. At 
one time addressing their appetites and passions, at an- 
other appealing to their love of honor and distinction, 
representing some sins as manly and honorable, and in- 
deed as necessary, in order to maintain a standing in 
fashionable society. And if they succeed in corrupting 
the morals of a youth under their tuition, the religious 
principles in which he has been educated, will soon give 
way and cease to place any barrier in the road to ruin. 
When his moral habits have received an evil bias, no 
foreign influence is necessary in order to induce him to 
abandon the religious principles in which he has been 
instructed. Under the high excitement of his feelings 
and of the various objects with which he is surrounded, 
he finds no leisure for serious reflection. Or, if in some 
transient moments, the thought of God and the retri- 
butions of eternity should disturb his guilty pleasures, 
his own ingenuity will find pretexts to justify his con- 
duct and to calm his fears. 

From long observation, we are persuaded that the 



9 

rejection of the gospel generally begins with the corrup- 
tion of the heart, and the loss of virtuous habits. We 
repeat it, men usually become infidels or what is the 
same thing, adopt erroneous principles, in order to suit 
the corrupt habits, which they have formed. In some 
cases, it is true, a contrary process takes place. The 
reading of infidel or erroneous books, or the conversa- 
tion of irreligious and licentious companions, suggest 
doubts, respecting the great truths inculcated in the 
Bible. And when the principles of piety are obscured 
by the mists of scepticism, the only effectual restraint 
to the indulgence of licentious and malignant passions 
is removed. 

Young men of literary taste are peculiarly exposed 
to the poison conveyed through the press. Scepticism 
and licentiousness are interwoven with almost every 
species of literature. It is found in the most polished 
histories in the English language, in philosophical disqui- 
sitions, in natural history, in poetry and fiction. 

A young man must abandon all thought of mental 
improvement, if he be not in the course of his reading 
exposed to the deadliest poison, presented in the most 
insinuating and dangerous form. Indeed, sources of 
moral contamination accessible to all classes of the 
community, have been opened. Infidelity and licen- 
tiousness in a form calculated to reach the most igno- 
rant and stupid, are presented to every age and sex, in 
public lectures, in weekly papers, in essays and tracts. 
To this contaminating influence, young men are more 
exposed than any other class, and they are more likely 
to feel the blighting effects, because the principles in- 
culcated with so much zeal are calculated to inflame 
those passions which the best regulated discipline can 
hardly restrain. An appeal which few have firmness 



10 

enough to resist, is also made to their vanity. They 
are told it is mean and unworthy a liberal mind to re- 
ceive the dogmas inculcated by parents, and to submit 
to the restraints imposed by the precepts of the gospel : 
that the time has come when they should cast off the 
leading strings of the nursery, and walk forth with an in- 
dependent and unshackled step. To the youthful heart 
sucji suggestions are extremely gratifying : and many 
flattered with the idea of independence, resign them- 
selves to the guidance of their new instructers, and be- 
come the dupes of the wildest follies, and the slaves of 
the most degrading passions. 

2. Again the inquiry, wherewithal shall a young 
man cleanse his way, is made with peculiar propriety ; 
because habits acquired in early life, usually become 
fixed, and are scarcely capable of being changed at any 
future period. 

No fact is more indubitable, none more confirmed by 
the experience of every individual, and by the testimo- 
ny of all ages, than that now stated. Yet this is a 
truth in the philosophy of human nature, which young 
men are slow to learn. Few young men, we believe, 
deliberately determine to abandon themselves to a life 
of idleness and dissipation, and consequently of insig- 
nificance and wretchedness. Their intention is, after 
a short period of self indulgence, to change their course. 
And if one individual in a thousand can be recollected 
who abandoning the follies of youth, has risen to dis- 
tinction in life, it is suflicient to encourage others to 
make the experiment. Examples of this kind are treas- 
ured up in the memory and handed down from genera- 
tion to generation, while the cases of hundreds and thou- 
sands of others who have ignobly perished, are totally for- 
gotten. Thus a single prize in a lottery is told and trum- 



11 

peted througliout the land, and not one syllable is uttered 
res|)ecting ten thousand blanks in the same drawing. 
The capital prize in the next lottery attracts the notice 
of numerous adventurers, each one hoping to be the fa- 
vorite of fortune. But suppose the anticipations of the 
youthful adventurer should be realized, what does he 
gain ? A few days of sordid gratification, and years of 
regret that his best da}' s have been uselessly and crimi- 
nally wasted, — that he must carry with him through 
life a broken constitution and have a continual struggle 
to resist the return of habits formed in early life. Be it 
remembered that in a vast majority of cases, reforma- 
tion never takes place. A fire has been kindled which 
all the art of man cannot extinguish. It burns within, 
and at each successive hour acquires fresh vigor. 

3. Another consideration which gives intense interest 
to the inquiry, by what means a young man may cleanse 
his way, is the large number of youth lost to their 
friends, their country and the world in consequence of 
the corruption of their morals at an early period of life. 
We cannot form an accurate estimate of the number, 
who from this cause die in early life, or become utterly 
useless to society. Some attempts have been made to 
ascertain the number who die annually in the United 
States, by the single vice of intemperance. And the 
amount on the most moderate calculation is truly ap- 
palling. Add to this the victims of other sins, of lewd- 
ness, of gambling, of duelling, and how vast must be the 
amount ? Of this fact, any one can convince himself, 
if he will take a single village or neighborhood, and 
count up all who from these causes have gone to a pre- 
mature grave. Or let him look around the circle of his 
acquaintance and note those who have gone, or who are 
in the road to ruin, through the indulgence of criminal 



12 ^ 

passions. And let it be kept in mind, that through the 
delicacy of friends many pine and sicken and die, in con- 
sequence of sins unknown to the world. Take only 
those cases where the cause is obvious, and how much 
talent, how much intellectual acquirement, and how 
much promise of usefulness and distinction, are blighted 
and lost through the corruption of morals in early life ! 
In what city or village, or neighborhood, do we not see 
parents mourning over a lost son ? 

If all the young men who have perished during the 
last ten years, or all who shall probably fall in the next 
ten years to come, from this cause, were cut off in one 
day, what lamentation and mourning would be heard 
throughout our land ? Egypt on that memorable night 
when the first born in every house was smitten, did not 
present a spectacle more appalling. In the wise and 
benevolent order of Providence, all do not fall at 
once, so that the youth in each neighborhood may have 
before their eyes every year and month, a beacon to 
warn them of danger. And what is to be more regret- 
ted, these victims are not always the ignorant, the mean 
and worthless : young men of education, of talent, of 
respectable connexions, to whose future eminence their 
friends and country were looking forward with fond an- 
ticipations are among those whom the destroying angel 
has marked as his victims. 

4. The good which a man, who in early life adopts 
correct principles and forms virtuous habits may achieve, 
and the mischief which he will probably accomplish if 
he take a contrary course, make it highly desirable that 
young men should be correct in their principles, and 
pure in their morals. 

Every individual however low in station, or inferior 
in talent, has an influence on the happiness or misery 



13 

of those around him. As a father, a son, a husband, 
he holds in his hands the domestic peace, and in many 
cases the eternal destiny of the domestic circle. 

Not unfrequently the moral influence of an individu- 
al whether good or bad, extends to a much wider sphere. 
' One sinner destroys much good.' By his conversation 
and example he corrupts others, and they again become 
centres from which moral pollution emanates. And 
thus the contagion is spread from neighborhood to neigh- 
borhood, and conveyed from generation to generation. 
It is also an encouraging circumstance that an individ- 
ual, especially if he commences in early life, may effect 
much good. The history of the church and of the world, 
demonstrates that the moral and religious reformation 
of nations as well as of individuals, is effected through 
the instrumentality of human agents. Not only distin- 
guished men, whom God has raised up, in great emer- 
gencies, but each individual in whatever sphere he may 
be placed, is capable of contributing immense and in- 
calculable aid to the cause of virtue and piety. And 
to what better cause can a young man consecrate his 
talents and influence ? 

5. Finally, purity and holiness is the only qualifica- 
tion which can elevate the soul to its true dignity, and 
prepare it for heaven. ' Blessed are the pure in heart, 
for they shall see God.' "^And without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord.' On this account it is important 
and necessary that the young as well as the old should 
cleanse his way. And if it be true, as we think expe- 
rience sufficiently demonstrates, that comparatively few 
become pure in heart, i. e. sincerely pious, after they 
have passed the meridian of life, how important is the 
inquiry, ' wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his 
way ?' 



14 

Of this short life, youth is the seed time for eternity. 
And if this season pass unimproved, the probability of 
a joyful harvest is greatly diminished. Every young 
man ought to bear m mind this solemn fact, when he 
is laying plans to spend the morning of life in sinful 
folly, and to attend to the concerns of his soul in old 
age. God may leave him as he has others, to reap the 
fruits of his own criminal folly. 

Such are a few of the dangers to which young men 
are exposed, and such the importance of avoiding vi- 
cious habits. 

II. It remains that we consider very briefly by 
what means a young man may. escape the pit into 
which so many have fallen. The Psalmist in our 
text has pointed out the only certain and effectual means 
by which a young man may cleanse his way, viz : by 
taking heed thereto according to the word of God. 
That is by attention, and attention according to a cer- 
tain rule — the word of God. 

If one or the other, or both of these be neglected, the 
end will certainly fail to be a^ttained. A man who 
treads a narrow path surrounded with deep precipices, ■ 
will be in great danger unless he takes heed to his steps. 
He may have received the most accurate and explicit 
instructions respecting the road — he may have in his 
pocket a map or chart representing the track he is to 
follow — marking the paths likely to lead him astray, 
and the precipices over which preceding travellers have 
fallen, and yet if he forget his instructions and neglect 
to consult his chart, he cannot hope to reach in safety 
his desired destination ; nor can the best moral and 
religious instructions, avail a young man, who dash- 
es on heedless of consequences;, not regarding all he 
has heard or read respecting the dangers that sur- 



15 

round his path ? Asa moral agent every hidividual 
must think and meditate^ and compare the different ob- 
jects placed before him, so that in view of their relative 
importance, he may decide which he ought to choose 
and which to reject. Young men are extremeiy jealous 
of their independence, afraid to have it suspected that 
they are swayed by any foreign authority, or governed 
by any will except their own. If then they would act 
wisely they must think, what is the nature and what 
the tendency of their actions. If they do otherwise, 
they in fact renounce that independence, which they 
affect to idolize, and yield themselves to the impulse of 
every surrounding object. Submission to the authori- 
ty of the Bible is often refused on the ground, that it 
it would take from a man the liberty of thinking and 
acting for himself. The truth is, there is no duty which 
the Bible more frequently and solemnly enjoins, than 
that a man should think and act according to his own 
conscience well enlightened. And there is no sin more 
severely condemned than the want of consideration. 
The want of consideration ruins the temporal and eter- 
nal interests of a large number of mankind. When 
men are involved in difficulties in consequence of their 
sins, they more severely blame themselves for the want 
of consideration, than for any thing else, ascribing their 
calamities to their own rashness, folly and want of 
thought. 

It will readily be admitted that no one can succeed 
in an important worldly enterprise, unless he wisely 
arrange his plans, and attentively use means necessary 
to their execution. And can any one without vigilance 
and precaution hope to escape the snares and tempta- 
tions that surround his path ? 

The want of reflection is the common and besetting 



16 

sin of young men. They sometimes imagine that this 
heedlessness is laudable and becoming their age. Not 
conscious of any positive intention to do wrong, they 
excuse themselves for acts admitted to be criminal, 
when done after deliberation and forethought. But if 
God has endowed man with the power of reason and 
choice, made him capable of distinguishing right from 
wrong, and of perceiving the connexion between cause 
and effect, can it be no crime to neglect to exercise the 
noblest attribute of human nature, and to follow the 
guidance of blind impulses, possessed by brutes in a su- 
perior degree ? In what strong and pathetic language 
does God remonstrate with men on account of this heed- 
lessness and want of consideration ? ^ The ox know- 
eth his owner, and the ass his master's crib : But Israel 
doth not know; my people do not consider.' Is. i, 3. 
' Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, 
that they would consider their latter end.' Deut. xxxii. 
29. Attention then is indispensably necessary. There 
is no royal high road hy which either young or old can 
escape the pollutions of the world, and get to heaven 
without their own care and reflection. 

2. But if a young man is anxious to cleanse his way, 
by what light shall he direct his steps ? What guide 
shall he follow amidst the dangers that surround his path? 
There is only one infallible guide, — one steady and bril- 
liant light, which never leads astray the weary travel- 
ler. I mean, the word of God, contained in the Holy 
Scriptures — ^ the only infallible rule of faith and prac- 
tice.' " The law of the Lord is perfect converting the 
soul : the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise 
the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing 
the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, en- 
lightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, en- 



17 

during forever. The judgments of the Lord are true, 
and righteous altogether. More to be desired than 
gold ; yea than much fine gold ; sweeter also than honey 
and the honey comb. Moreover by them is thy servant 
warned ; and in keeping of them there is great reward." 
This eulogy is as true as it is elegant. And whoever 
will make the experiment, — lay it down as a first princi- 
ple, to take the word of God as the rule of his conduct, 
— endeavor to imbibe its spirit, to obey its precepts, to 
cherish its hopes, — will find from his own experience 
that the encomium is not exaggerated. 

Where else can we find a perfect standard of duty ? 
Where else an unchanging light to shine on our path ? 
Every other standard will be found defective. Every 
other light fallacious. Can a young man follow with 
safety his own reason independent of divine revelation ? 
It is true, experience and reflection may induce a man 
to exchange one sin for another. Profligacy may give 
place to avarice or ambition. The penuriousness of old 
age may succeed the prodigality of youth. But in 
these changes there is no approximation to real purity 
or moral rectitude. 

Again, will conscience unenlightened by the word of 
God restrain the passions, and guide the footsteps of 
impetuous youth ? Conscience derives the acuteness 
of its perceptions and the energy of its decisions from 
the truths of the Bible, 

It is true there is a foundation laid in the human 
constitution to distinguish right from wrong. There is 
a mirror in the human breast, which shows to a man 
his own deformity, when the light of divine truth is 
brought to bear upon it. Yet we know from experi- 
ence that conscience may be so perverted, as to call 
good evil, and evil good. And even when duty is 



18 

known, and acknowledged, this inward monitor, not 
strengthened by the truths revealed in the Bible, re- 
monstrates in a voice so feeble as not to be heard amidst 
the din of passion, and the tumults of life. But let the 
light of heaven shine on the conscience, let the sinner 
be brought under the inspection of a holy God, whose 
omniscient eye attends him in the darkness of midnight, 
as well as in the light of noonday, let the retributions 
of eternity be placed in his view, and then conscience 
will speak in a voice not easily disregarded. 

Once more, does a young man depend on the regard 
he has to his own reputation or in other words, on the 
approbation and disapprobation of his fellow men to 
restrain him from every thing base and grossly immor- 
al in his conduct ? Is he acutely sensitive to whatev- 
er affects his reputation, and does he instinctively shrink 
from whatever would sully his fair name ? And does 
he believe that this consideration will keep him far 
from the commission of every foul deed, and lead him 
to cultivate those amiable dispositions and pleasing 
manners, which conciliate the respect and love of 
mankind ? Now who does not see that this standard 
of moral conduct must vary with the sentiments of 
those with whom an individual associates ? If the com- 
munity in which he moves be pure and virtuous, the per- 
son w^hose standard of duty is the opinion of others, 
will at least in appearance, be pure and virtuous. If 
he be surrounded with those of a contrary character, 
he must according to his own principles, adopt their 
sentiments and imitate their conduct. Having no fixed 
and independent principles of his own, he imbibes his 
opinions and shapes his course according to the circum- 
stances in which he may be placed. And is he not as 
likely in the journey of life to pass through a foul as a 



19 

pure region, to breathe a noxious as a healthful atmos- 
phere ? We have already seen that the influence of 
corrupt companions is one of the dangers to which a 
young man is exposed, and unless he has some guide 
different from the opinion of those around him, he will 
move with the current and descend into the gulf in 
which so many have perished. It is true, and we re- 
joice in the fact, that public sentiment may be favora- 
ble to purity of morals. But whence is this sentiment 
derived ? What purifies and elevates the tone of moral 
feeling in any community? We answer unhesitatingly, 
the Bible. Where this is wanting, or where its precepts 
are not regarded, there no such moral sentiment exists. 
As far as sins interfere with the immediate interests 
and pleasures of others, so far and no farther will these 
sins be condemned and punished. Take, for example, 
the conduct of those who carry a regard to reputation 
to its utmost extent, who have established a refined, 
though unwritten code of laws, to which every individu- 
al aspiring to the character of a gentleman must sub- 
mit. What sins do these laws of honor prohibit ? Or 
rather what sins do they not tolerate and foster ? In- 
temperance, lewdness, gaming, impiety and even lying, 
(provided it do not affect one of the honorable fraterni- 
ty) will not exclude a man from the society of those 
who acknowledge no law except that of reputation. 
The only principle regarded as sacred and inviolable, as 
far as we understand the subject, is to permit no impu- 
tation affecting that impalpable and undefined some- 
thing called honor, to go unpunished, that is, to take 
revenge for every real or imaginary insult. And if his 
character should be tarnished by any foul imputation 
a gentleman according to this code, must wash himself 
pure in his brother's blood, or fall in the attempt. 



20 

We must return then to this old and too much neg- 
lected book, in order to find a perfect and unerring 
standard of morals. Here not one sin, but all sins are 
forbidden — not one duty but all duties are commanded. 
These laws reach the motives as well as the actions — 
the thoughts as well as the words. Here we find mo- 
tives addressed to the intellectual and moral constitu- 
tion of man, suited to rouse his attention, to alarm his 
fears, to cherish his hopes, to awaken his conscience 
and to enkindle his love. 

Especially the adorable method of salvation provided 
for sinners, presents such a view of the justice and love 
of God as fills the mind with awe, and melts the heart 
in gratitude. The Son of God coming from heaven to 
earth to redeem sinners, is the most amazing display of 
divine love, that men or angels have ever witnessed. 
If the agonies of the Redeemer voluntarily bleeding and 
expiring under the weight of sin which he bore in his 
own body on the tree, do not cause the heart of the sin- 
ner to relent, it must be harder than the rocks rent 
asunder on that awful occasion. 

It is not strange that when the apostles would excite 
believers to entire devotedness to the service of their 
Lord and Master, they should remind them of the love 
of Christ, because no other motive goes directly to the 
heart with such resistless energy. Even the stupid 
Hottentot, and the beastly Greenlander shed tears of 
gratitude at the simple recital of what the Son of God 
did and suffered for guilty men. 

There is another thought connected with this j)art of 
the subject. When any one is desirous to cleanse his 
way, i. e. really to become pure and holy in the sight 
of God, he must be conscious that his soul is already pol- 
luted, that he has contracted a stain which all his tears 



21 

cannot wash away. The Bible directs him to go to that 
fountain that is opened for sin and uncleanness, assu- 
ring him that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin. 
Here the troubled conscience finds peace on grounds 
consistent with divine justice. 

The word of God begins with the heart, where all 
real reformation and purity of life must commence. 
This holy book does not conceal from a young man the real 
state of his heart. It tells him in plain and honest lan- 
guage that his heart is corrupt, depraved and naturally 
destitute of purity or holiness in the sight of God. It in- 
forms him that he must have a new heart, that he must 
be born again, that all his desires, motives and princi- 
ples of action must be changed, so that he shall love 
God supremely, and have a regard to his glory in all his 
actions. It moreover declares especially, tliat this 
change in the state of the heart is effected not by moral 
means, but by the agency of the Holy Ghost attending 
the presentation of divine truth to the heart and con- 
science. It points out also the way in which the aid 
of the Holy Spirit is secured. ' Ask and it shall be 
given to you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall 
be opened unto you.' And this exhortation is accom- 
panied with the assurance that our Father in heaven 
is more ready to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask 
him, than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their 
children. 

Now where else are rules so perfect, motives so pow- 
erful, means so well adapted to the intellectual and mo- 
ral constitution of man, to be found ? Where else is 
such provision made to cancel the debts due to divine 
justice, or to cleanse, purify, and prepare the soul for 
heaven ? Here, young men, you have an unerring guide 
which if attentively followed will preserve you from the 



22 

pollutions of the world, and conduct you to that happy 
place where nothing that defileth shall ever enter. 

Young Gentlemen of the Senior Class, 

How different is the position which you and myself 
this day occupy ? Having finished the usual course of 
Academical study, you are soon to leave these literary 
retreats and to commence the duties of life. 

On the other hand, having nearly completed the 
number of years appointed for men to remain on earth 
I am shortly to withdraw to the shades of retirement, 
and to wait with submission and patience for the sum- 
mons which we must all obey. In my own case what 
has been done, whether good or bad cannot be recalled, 
and what has been left undone, cannot now be perform- 
ed. The die is cast, and there it must remain fixed, im- 
mutable forever. Fifty and four years ago, I stood in 
the attitude in which you now are, looking forward to 
that uncertain future before me. Now I look back on 
what has actually occurred. Ah ! how different in ma- 
ny respects the reality from youthful anticipations. 
Your work is still before you. Mine is finished and the 
record made. Your history the recording angel has 
not yet written. And what it shall be, depends under 
God on your own voluntary exertions. Your names 
may be enrolled with those of the great and good of 
other ages, or with those whose memory shall perish. 
Let me say to you, you have now arrived at a critical 
and important period of life. Standing on the line 
which separates youth from manhood the first step you 
take may give direction to your future course, and de- 
cide your future destiny. Be assured that what you 
shall now do is a subject of deep solicitude to your pa- 
rents and friends, and especially to those who have re- 



23 

cently directed your studies. On this occasion I might 
suggest to you many thoughts on various subjects wor- 
thy to be remembered in future life But I will not 
divide your attention. The single thought which I 
desire you to remember as my last counsel, is, that to be 
good men is more important than anything else. On 
this depends j'our own comfort in life, and in death, 
and as far as your influence extends, the interests of your 
country, and the everlasting destiny of those with whom 
you may be connected. A very fatal, and, as w^e be- 
lieve, a very common error with young men, is to think 
moral character of secondary importance — that the cul- 
tivation of the heart demands less attention than that of 
the intellect — that to be great is more desirable than 
te be good. This false estimate leads to consequences 
most fatal. It often defeats the very object at which 
the young aspirant aims. lie sees the gay and flatter- 
ing world before him. Its pleasures, and honors, and 
wealth occupy his thoughts and present to his ardent 
imagination, the most brilliant and enchanting prospects. 
The cultivation of his intellectual powers, and the ac- 
quisition of knowledge he deems incompatible with se- 
rious devoted piety, and sometimes with strict morali- 
ty. The names of those few men who were alike dis- 
tinguished for talent, and for irregular moral habits are 
familiar to his mind, and he vainly imagines that the 
same path which they trod, will lead him to distinction 
and glory. But how often is the fire of ambition extin- 
guished in the cup of low sensuality and talents, which 
might have shone with no common lustre, been buried 
and lost before their possessor reached the meridian of 
life? 

If a youth of ordinary intellect, who, by regular in- 
dustry and virtuous habits, might have been respecta- 



24 

ble and useful, be so unhappy as to entertain the pre- 
posterous opinion, that literary or professional eminence 
and profligate morals, have a natural connexion, speedy 
and inevitable ruin, will be the consequence. 

When his understanding is clouded and his vital en- 
ergies palsied by the cup from which he hoped to re- 
ceive inspiration, he usually fails in his first efforts in 
professional and public life. Disappointed, chagrined, 
and overwhelmed with shame, he seeks to forget his 
sorrows, by the same means which produced them. And 
then his future history is soon told. He is ruined. 

This, we venture to say, is one great cause why 
so many young men who have passed through a re- 
regular course of preparatory study, fail in profes- 
sional and public life. Their expectations are great- 
er than their industry. They hope to unite two things 
not usually compatible, viz : the pleasures of self-indul- 
gence and the rewards of professional eminence. My 
young friends, avoid this error. Be assured the natu- 
ral consequence of such expectations is disappointment, 
despair, and the total abandonment of yourselves to the 
lowest infamy. Let it be indelibly impressed on your 
minds, that to be good men, pure in your personal 
habits, honest in your intentions, benevolent in your 
aims, is your first duty, and your highest glory. 

I am aware that it is often difficult to make young 
men feel that moral worth is more important than intellec- 
tual greatness. Dazzled by the exhibition of splendid 
talents, of bold and successful achievements, they do not 
observe the motives nor the consequences of these ex- 
ertions. All men love excitement. They admire the 
heaving of an earthquake, the bursting of a volcano, 
or the fury of a tornado, but who would be willing to be 
exposed to the violence of these convulsions of na- 



25 

tiire. Such is intellectual and physical greatness un- 
connected with moral goodness, — an object to be dread- 
ed rather than desired. 

In mere intellectual strength there is nothing calcu- 
lated to secure confidence — nothing more worthy of 
moral approbation, than there is in the muscles of an ox, 
or in the energy of the electric fluid. The value of intel- 
lectual power depends on the object to which it is con- 
secrated. It may be an instrument of good or of evil, 
of life or of de.ath. 

Greatness and goodness you must have observed are 
not inseparably united. Men of high intellectual and 
physical power may be the slaves of grovelling and de- 
basing appetites and passions, or they may be actuated 
by the fury and malignity of demons. A man may be 
good who attracts little attention, and makes no noise in 
the world. Whenever one of these characters separate 
from the other must be chosen, no young man should 
hesitate a moment which to prefer. 

Vice tarnishes the most brilliant talents. How mean 
and pitiable, to behold the conqueror of nations, or 
the statesman whose hands have held the sce|)tre of 
empire, subdued and vanquished and enchained by 
his own low and debasing passions ! Yet such has 
been the fate of many whose exploits have amazed 
and astonished the world. Never seek greatness for its 
own sake. Cultivate your talents, improve your oppor- 
tunities, with a view to a nobler end — the diffusion of 
happiness, and the exercise of virtue on an enlarged scale. 
And believe me that the consecration of your talents, 
whether great or small, to some useful and honorable 
purpose, is the only thing which can shed a pure and un- 
fading lustre over your name and memory. 

An immortal soul polluted, debased and sensualized^ 



26 

is the most vile and despicable object in the universe* 
Stripped of its artificial splendor, rejected by God, and 
excluded from the society of the pure and holy, carry- 
ing within itself the source of its own abhorrence, it must 
be inconceivably wretched. Pagans might hope to purify 
themselves, and to gain a seat in heaven by deeds of 
valor : but the pure light of heaven shows a different 
path. ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see 
God.' ' Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' 

Eemember, that in order to cleanse your way, to es- 
cape the pollutions of the world and to attain genuine 
purity of heart and life, the Bible is the only safe and 
infallible guide. In the same degree that you depart 
from this standard, you will become corrupt and put in 
jeopardy your present and eternal interests. The Bible 
has formed a part of your course of study in this insti- 
tution, and I am persuaded that no study to which you 
have attended is more important. Cast not away your 
Bible when you leave this place, carry it with you wher- 
ever you go, and whatever be your occupation. Consult 
it daily, and make its precepts the rule of your life, its 
doctrines the standard of your faith and the foundation 
of your hopes. 

If I saw a mariner in the midst of the trackless 
ocean casting away his chart and his compass, and com- 
mitting his vessel to the guidance of the winds and the 
currents, I would not be so certain of his destruction, 
as I would be of yours, if I saw you throwing away 
your Bible and attempting to direct your way through 
life regardless of its admonitions and warnings. Ee- 
member also there is nothing even in the Bible which 
like an amulet or charm can protect you from danger, 
by merely carrying it with you, and giving a nominal 
assent to its divine origin. It must be read and believed 



2T 

and obeyed. Dark and dreary^ and hopeless would 
be the prospect, if I must this day dismiss you without 
being able to point you to such a guide and to commit 
you to the protection of that God whose word I recom- 
mend as a light to your feet, and a lamp to your path. 
This week we shall separate probably, nay certainly, 
never all to meet in this world, and to unite as we have 
often done in offering our prayers and praises to the 
Most High God. But we shall all meet on that " great 
day for which all other days were made." And God 
grant that when our earthly course is run, we may 
meet at the right hand of our final Judge, and receive 
from his lips that most joyful of all plaudits, " Well 
done good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of 
your Lord," God bless you. 



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